I forget
by adustyframe ~ April 9th, 2008When I look at my husband through eyes of love, I forget a lot of things.
The other day he was telling me that he’s concerned about getting a job.
He said, “Since I’m a criminal…”
I was startled. What a word. Then I realized, yes, we ARE sitting in a prison visiting room.
People don’t usually go to prison without being criminals. It’s just that I don’t usually think of him that way.
This reminded me of one of Lee’s court dates.
I got to court shortly before his hearing. Pastor was there and he sat and prayed with me while I tried to compose myself. I could feel the earth shifting under my feet.
I went into the court and waited for the proceedings to begin. Lee was in the front. I couldn’t go near him.
After the hearing, he was escorted out by the bailiff. We had to remain seated until he was out of the court. I walked out and heard a gasp and whisperings in the hall.
I wondered what was going on. Then I saw Lee down the hallway. Shuffling past people with his arms and legs shackled.
This is standard procedure, but it looks like the person must be horribly dangerous.
I had not even seen that Lee was in shackles when he walked out of the courtroom.
I had just smiled at him and watched his eyes. I think we whispered “I love you” as he walked past.
I remember feeling shocked that Lee was in shackles and I wondered how I could have missed that.
I just saw my husband. I was so thankful to see that he looked alright. I looked right past the “warts”.
I think we’d all do well to look past our loved one’s warts more often. Don’t you?
April 9th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Yes, and I hope they look past mine, too!
Kat
EXACTLY! We want people to forgive us and remember we are humans but often we have such a hard time doing the same for others.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Thank you for sharing a simple but profound reminder.
You are welcome.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Amen.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Dusty –
I get this. I look at my man and I don’t see who other people see. I see who he is to me – and the parts I haven’t learned to look past just yet, I’m learning to more and more as each day goes by.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:53 am
We say we’re sinners…how different would it be to call ourselves ‘criminals’ ……’crooks’..?..just something my husband and I have been discussing as we have friends fighting against that label even though they are…have done things illegal..words they have so much power when really should they??
Luke 23:39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]”
43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
I am praying for you all and have been praying…you all be who He intends and trust Him only, people can be so callous and ignorant mostly it’s driven by fear I think…anyway….YOU are loved.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate your prayers.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Another great post! How promising though that he is looking at life very realistically. Potential employers have to consider “the warts” and will have to see the “good” in him right away to be willing to hire him. He’s done his time and deserves a chance–all of us who read this know it. Lets pray that God let’s the employer’s see the “new Lee” and not the “warts”…… I am praying for you guys.
Thank you for praying.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for sharing this. It was a sweet reminder of what love can do.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I just said to my hubby yesterday “Isn’t if funny that we think people love us because they don’t know all our faults. The truth is that people SEE our faults and CHOOSE to love us anyway.”
Thanks for sharing,
Alesha
You are right. We choose to love in spite of the flaws;) Which is what God does for us on such a large scale.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Lizzie,
When you get 5 minutes, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI&feature=related
April 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
What a profound thought, yet so simple. The Scriptures remind us that we are all sinners…sin is sin. Thanks for your lovely blog. Its always an encouragement to me.
As a side note, I posted awhile back about my uncle being in prison for 9 months. As an encouragement to you, he was able to get a job pretty quickly after being released. Its not the highest paying job, but its a job, an often offers overtime.
Praying for you.
Thanks for letting me know you find this blog encouraging. That really helps to hear.
Thanks too for letting me know about your uncle and that he could find a job. That’s encouraging too!
Thank you for praying for us.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
What a beautiful post! You are a talented writer and an inspiration to me. I am praying for you.
Thank you, Twila. What a sweet thing to say. I appreciate your prayers!
April 12th, 2008 at 2:46 am
I am new to your blog. It was recommended on Sharper Than Iron. I spent hours reading past entries. They have been such a blessing to me. Thank you for this post. I am not it your shoes, but I needed the reminder. I pray for you and the changes that are going on in your life.
I saw Changed Into His Image somewhere on your blog. That book changed my life and I am thrilled to see that someone else has been helped by it!
God bless you and keep you!
Hello Senkyoshi. Thank you for commenting and letting me know how you found me. I always wonder how people stumbled across this blog.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m almost done with Changed Into His Image. It’s excellent!
July 15th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
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